The State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili delivered a speech at the Parliamentary Committee of the Association of European Parliament. 

The State Minister introduced the Committee with the situation in the occupied territories of Georgia, the peacekeeping policy of the Government, issues of reconciliation and civil integration. She talked about the situation in the occupied territories, daily unsolved problems. She noted that since 2008, after the Russian-Georgian war, the population is facing serious challenges on both sides of the artificial dividing line.

According to her, Russia exercises full and exclusive control over the occupied territories, in all areas of life. Artificial barriers and fences are regularly installed along the occupation line that isolates the regions. Population has limited access to their homestead parcels, shrines or family members. She also talked about the facts of restricting of the ethnic Georgian population in the occupied Akhalgori and Gali regions (for example, education in their native language).

The State Minister in details spoke about Archil Tatunashvili, Giga Otkhozoria and Davit Basharuli's tragedies. According to her, such actions are provocations directed against Georgia's declared course - peace and reconciliation.

Ketevan Tsikhelashvili paid special attention to the Georgian peacekeeping policy and noted that it’s focused on finding peaceful, pragmatic and constructive ways to resolve the conflict.

"In framework of peace policy, the Office of the State Minister together with other government agencies, has developed the package of new peace initiatives – “A Step to a Better Future". Its aim is to make better socio-economic conditions to the population of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region / South Ossetia, to improve their humanitarian situation, give them educational opportunities etc.  

The peace initiative package is one of the most important directions of the Government of Georgia reconciliation and involvement policy. Together with other peace initiatives and planned steps, this new package serves to ensure the welfare of the population on both sides of the dividing lines, build confidence and peace", - said Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.

The sitting of the Association Parliamentary Committee was chaired by the Co-Chairs, the Head of the European Integration Committee Tamar Khulordava and the member of the European Parliament Sajad Karim. In order to discuss EU-Georgia relations parliamentarians listened to the Executive Authority of Georgia and EU representatives.